Artwork on display at dining establishment

Wednesday

Dec 5, 2012 at 10:54 AMDec 5, 2012 at 11:01 AM

Cynthia Grau

Dining alfresco while looking at a fresco? How about seeing post-modern work while enjoying contemporary fare? Although that is unlikely in Pontiac, enjoying artwork while dining is a possibility. Pontiac Township High School students’ artwork is now being featured at Bernardi’s II. Art teacher Nick Vogt said that, since the partnership began in May, 15 to 20 students’ artwork has been displayed throughout the restaurant. PTHS offers an array of art classes, including Art I, Art II, Art III and AP Art, but Art II and higher is typically on display. It is hoped that Art I work will be displayed by the end of the year. “They display different works each month and try to rotate whose work is actually there, but sometimes the same student may have two or three works at the same time,” Vogt explained. The idea started when restaurant manager Mark Johnson and PTHS teacher Paul Ritter discussed the avenues that they could go down to help motivate students. Johnson then went to Vogt with an idea of putting artwork on display. “I talked to Mark and he wanted to place student work up in the lobby and it just went from there,” Vogt said. Many mediums of art can be seen at the restaurant, including graphite pencil drawings, expressionistic portraits and paintings. Vogt said that some patrons have even asked to purchase some of the artwork. “They could probably sell their artwork if they wanted to but my personal philosophy is the second and third level students should probably hold on to their work so they can look back at it,” Vogt said. “I think it could be a possibility in the future, but we’re still in the early stages. I’d like it to grow more.” Vogt said he has had students ask if their artwork can be displayed, proving that the motivation works for the student. “We have a really highly skilled group here at Pontiac and I think I have 160-some students in the different levels — three Art I classes, two Art II classes, one Art III class and some AP art students,” Vogt said. “They do great work. “It’s all about the kids. It’s amazing some of the things they come up with. I have different ideas and concepts but they usually blow my mind away with the work that they produce. It’s the best part of my job,” he added. The partnership between the school and restaurant is free, although they have to spend time matting the work so it can be hung. Vogt is planning on adding new art at the beginning of December.